Spinning-top.



PJK. WILLIAMS.

SPINNING TOP. APPLICATION FILED AUG.H. 1915.

1,158,352.. Patented Oct. 26,1915.

WITNESSES.-

I INVENTOR. flwww PETER K. WILLIAMfi ATTORNEY rip SPINNING-TOP.

Application filed August 11, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER K. WILLIAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and Stateof Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spinning-Tops, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in spinning tops, and is designed to provide an attractive toy, which also combines instructive educational features, as will appear hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one example of the physical embodiment of my invention constructed according to the best mode I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles, and which has proven highly satisfactory in actual practice. v

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a top embodying the novel features of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1, in which the pivoted wings are illustrated in closed position. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the wings extended. Fig. A is a vertical sectional view on line A4 Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the top, on a smaller scale, illustrating stationary planes and a rudder applied thereto. Fig. 6 is a front view of Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 is a top plan view of Figs. 5 and 6.

For convenience of illustration the first four figures of the drawings show an exemplifying structure embodying only the pivoted wings, and the remaining figures on a smaller scale show the top equipped with the stationary planes or wings.

The body of the top, as l, conforms to the general outline and contour of the well known type oftoy, and is preferably composed of a hollow metallic structure in which the wire ring or annulus 2, is located at its point of greatest diameter. In addition to strengthening and bracing the top, the ring also by its weight, performs the function of steadying the top while it is spinning.

A spindle 3 forms the axis for the top. At its lower end the spindle is provided with a point l, and upon the upper end is located the handle 5. As illustrated in Fig. A, the top 1 is adapted to revolve about the spindle as its axis, but it will be understood that the construction may be varied, as for instance, the top and spindle may be rigidly fixed to each other and the handle be loosely Specification of Letters latent.

Serial No. 4%,931.

mounted upon the spindle. In this form of the toy the spindle will revolve in the handle and the top rotate with the spindle.

In order to enhance the value of the top as a toy, I apply a set of wings thereto, which are adapted to be extended by the centrifugal force induced by the spinning top. I have illustrated three of these wings, designated by the numeral '6. The wings are pivoted at 7 to the body of the top, and when at rest lie in complementary recesses 8 fashioned in the material at the upper side of the top. As clearly shown in Fig. A, the wings, in cross section, are inclined to the horizontal, or warped, which when the top is revolving with its wings extended, causes the top to rise in the air.

Another attractive feature of the present invention is the addition ofmeans for imparting a forward movement to the spinning top. For this purpose the frame 9 is loosely journaled at the upper and lower ends of the spindle 3. At diametrically opposite sides of the top the frame is provided with stationary, but adjustable, horizontal planes l0, and at its rear the frame is equipped with a vertical rudder 11.

Preferably the material of the planes 10 and rudder 11, is soft and flexible, and at the same time tough. I have found that aluminum, tin, or zinc lend themselves readily for this purpose, and when the planes and rudder are of this material they may readily be bent by hand.

The top is spun in the usual manner, as by winding a cord, either from the lower end upwardly toward the greatest diameter of the top, or from the upper end downwardly toward the greatest diameter. When spun by either mode, the top is held by the handle 5, the cord drawn therefrom, and the top is caused to revolve rapidly. The centrifugal force generated causes the wings to distend on their pivots, and the form of the wings as described causes the top to ascend. If the planes 10 are in position indicated in Fig. 5 the top is caused to move forwardly, and the direction may be governed by the rudder 11.

The forward movement of the top may be varied by bending slightly the planes 10, and the direction of travel may be governed by bending the rudder 11, either to the right or left in Fig. 7.

If desired the top may be caused to travel in an upwardly spiral direction by bending Patented Get. 26, I915.

' a fascinating and instructive toy, and while I have illustrated one complete and satisfactory embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that the construction may be varied within limits without departing from the spirit of the claims.

'Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure byLetters Patent is i '1. Thecombination with 'a spinning top fashioned with a tapered upper portion having recesses in its outer face, of a plurality of freely swinging pivoted wings conforming to-the contour of said upper portion, and

, adapted, when at rest,v to seat in said reeesses.v

2. The combination with a hollow spin ning top providedfwith a weighted stabilizing ring at its point of greatest diameter,

of a plurality of freely swinging lifting Copies of this patent may be obtained for wings pivoted in the top and adapted to be extended by centrifugal force.

3. lhe combination with a top of a plurality of lifting wings pivoted thereto and adapted to be extended by centrifugal force, a supporting frame, and means on said frame to cause the spinning top to travel forwardly.

4. The combination with a top, of a plurality of lifting wings pivoted on the top and adapted to freely swing therefrom by centrifugal force, a frame and planes supported thereby for causing the top to travel forwardly, and means for governing the direction of travel.

5. The combination with a spinning top and means for lifting said top, of a frame, planes supported in said frame for causing forward travel of the top, and a rudder for governing the direction of travel, said planes and rudder being flexible.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PETER K. WILLIAMS.

Witnesses:

C. M. SHIGLEY, JOHN M. LEWIS.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. C. 

